I’m telling you now – Gareth Ainsworth tips Shrews to finish above Northampton

Shrewsbury boss Gareth Ainsworth believes his side can finish above Northampton after they battled out a 1-1 draw against the Cobblers at the Croud Meadow.

Both sides have found themselves fighting for survival this season and a draw sees Northampton move two points clear of the drop zone.

Shrewsbury head into 2025 within six points of survival and are on a three-match unbeaten run.

After a first half starved of action, Shrewsbury broke the deadlock on the hour mark when Aaron Pierre converted from close range.

Kevin Nolan’s side did not take long to reply as Cameron McGeehan got on the end of a floated free-kick to the near post.

“It was tough in the first half, and very little quality in there,” said Ainsworth. “It was a real battle, but I am really proud of the boys.

“We are fighting and scrapping now in that side of the game, and all we were doing when I first came in was trying to play and pass and not have the fight.

“We have got the fight now. I have reset that, which is brilliant, and we are on an unbeaten run, and unbeaten teams don’t go down.

“If we can add that bit of quality that they have got – because I have seen it in bits – but the fundamentals have got to be giving everything and be solid.

“I think we played some good stuff, but it was not perfect. This is the bottom of League One and as I have said before, I am not here to be pretty; I’m here to get out of this situation.

“I’m pleased with the performance today and I think with no disrespect to Northampton, we can finish higher than Northampton, I’m telling you now.”

Cobblers boss Nolan said: “We knew coming here and playing against Gareth, I have known him a player and we knew we were going to have to stand up and be counted.

“I think every player did that to a man today, and that is really pleasing for me. It is a great response to what was a poor display on Boxing Day.

“I thought the goal came against the run of play but the response from them was magnificent.

“Then when the ball is getting thrown in the box, they are putting their body on the line and getting the first and second contacts.

“I am absolutely delighted for them. I have just said to them that it is a fantastic point and you have to respect the points when they come.

“It’s a home game next and I’m really looking forward to it. It will be a tough one again, but we are fully looking forward to it.”